2025-12-08 – Weekly Chemist News : Choosing SPME fibers for amines

Last week on the forum, members engaged in a variety of discussions, with a focus on practical challenges and solutions in the field of chemistry. A recurring theme was the optimization of techniques for analyzing volatile compounds, particularly in the context of environmental and analytical chemistry. Another noteworthy conversation centered around the latest advancements in polymer chemistry and their applications in industry. The community also shared insights on career development, with tips for emerging chemists looking to advance their careers.


This Week’s Hot Topics

SPME fiber choices for volatile amines
A lively discussion emerged about selecting the right SPME fibers for volatile amines. Participants shared their experiences and preferences, highlighting the importance of choosing the right fiber for effective sampling.
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I’ve had the best luck with PDMS/DVB for C3–C8 amines when I ‘basify hard’ to pH about 11 and add about 20% NaCl before a 5–7 min headspace pull. CAR/PDMS looks great for the really light ones, but in wet matrices it drags in a lot of water and recoveries drift unless you keep exposures very short. If you’re targeting methylamine/ethylamine specifically, CAR/PDMS still edges it in sensitivity.

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